Well as the holidays are coming to a close, I thought I would share my love of decorating for each holiday and season...so here we go!

This is my "old toys" bedroom tree in our cozy, little cottage! This is our "little" Oscar's other favorite place to rest, which he does most of the time, on Holly Annie's lap! I decided to keep the tree up all year and make this a seasonal display...next spring and multi-colored bulbs and spring animals and dolls on the tree and shelf. The display rests on a repurposed shutter, something we do throughout the house to "create" space!

This was my first December demo/make it take it at Yarn Designers Boutique in Big Bear City! We made the Quilted Angel that Cat used for her exchange of a homemade ornament for our Busy Bear Quilt Guild Christmas Dinner-several folks wanted to know when I was doing it again. It was such fun-Heidi, my "sister", just whipped one out for her daughter-in-law that was lovely, too! My next demo/make-it take-it will be January 16th so stay tuned for details on making a lovely doll pin from the Whimzy Series...Isbella, A Winter Fairy!

Here's a little look at my holiday decorations on the front porch of Whimzy, our 1940"s cottage! We decorate for every season but Christmas/Winter and Halloween are my favorites! You are wondering where I keep everything since we live in 675 square feet not counting my studio? I should have invested in tote stock-we pack everything up and take it to our storage area. Next year, we are hoping to build a covered storage area on the side of the house to store things:0

Santa made it to Snow Summit last night! The skiing is outstanding for this time of year considering that we are in Southern California and the wild and wacky weather patterns. The saving grace...lots of snowmaking given our cold nights and low humidity! Merry Christmas everyone!

So much fun at the Elks Women's Arts & Crafts show this December! Met new folks interested in my classes to make dolls and a friend of a doll collector interested in several of my dolls! The weather was great, food delicious, and a good time had by all!

Here's my first attempt at clay over cloth for the face of my Gift Giver doll! She is hanging outside on my porch for the holidays! Now to try to make a snowman for winter season to hang using the same technique but changing the stain and clothing-this one will be better!

Here is a wonderful view from coming down the lift at Snow Summit! Isn't it beautiful? It is so hard for everyone to understand this is Southern California and you are a short distance from the beach and LA as well as to Palm Springs and the desert! Ben is a ski instructor during the winter and he took a whole set of pictures for me the last few days...obviously this is when the snow was not coming down:)

On the way home from Riverside, it was looking glum but not as bad as I headed up the mountain and encountered the fog! It was scary until after Arrowbear!!! Once we got to the Artic Circle, everyone was pulled over to take pictures of the fog bank that we had just passed through. You could not see Big Bear Valley and the Lake due to the density but as you can see, it was sunny and lovely! The fog was moving in to the lake as I drove towards the dam and was so glad to be home safe and sound without mishap.

What a wonderful time with Barbara at Mission Inn for lunch on Monday!!! Girl time, great food, and delightfully decorated for the holidays, the Mission Inn in Riverside is not to be missed! Make reservations if you come for lunch or dinner as they are quite busy during the holiday season. And if you have time, be sure to check out some of the wonderful shops around the inn-great shopping for those special little last minute treasures-for you or someone else!

Ben and I had a wonderful adventure last week to Lake Arrowhead! So beautiful even this time of year! Great outlet stores especially Pendleton. And the food at Woody's is delicious! Add this to one of your bucket list adventures!

Here is one of my newest loves thanks to my special friend, Theresa, who teaches techniques for making art quilts! This is made from a vintage baby's dress given to me by my "sister" Molly who is president of our antique doll club, Bebe's in the Woods. I used other vintage items and a doll quote to embellish this piece.

Wendy, owner of the Village Quilt Shop, here in Big Bear Lake has this available in her shop. She carries my folk art dolls and other wonderful treasures-quilts, clothing, purses, gifts, and much more! Stop in if you are in the area!

Last weekend was the Elks Lodge Women's Arts and Craft Show-what fun to see many of my creative friends and their creations! Many wonderful folks including new students for my upcoming class in February!

Some of the holiday dolls are now for sale in a new shop, Bear Necessities, just opened by my good friend, Cat, who specializes in wonderful quilts and Big Bear embroidered bags. If in Big Bear, stop in to see her work in progress...

If you have an opportunity, head out to Palm Springs and see Marilyn! In the center of town, she is a very life like sculpture worth seeing! Ben and I enjoyed our drive from the mountains down to the desert-all in Southern California. And if this is not enough, you can then head to the beach which is only a couple of hours away!

Here is "little" Oscar who owns our cottage, Whimzy! He is doing what he does best after a hard fifteen years...sleeping in his favorite place on his favorite kitty blanket!

Birthday Girl

Here is one of my latest-a special order for an eleven year old who loves dolls! It was special ordered so she could have the colors she loves for the hair and clothing. She is a ten inch doll but I make them even larger if someone wishes.

If you would like one, let me know!